Ugh! Up 5lbs

I am depressed today.  I am officially up 5lbs since I started maintaining. My husbands says "Good, you need to gain 5lbs."  But, I am afraid that it won't stop there. But I don't want to have to eat 1200 calories per day every day for the rest of my life just to make sure that I don't gain.  Since maintainence, candy has become my downfall.  I eat it every day.  I manage to stay around 1500-1600 calories per day consistently but do you think that could be what is causing the weight gain?  I was so depressed when I got on the scale this morning.  I weighed the most that I have in a year.  It makes me not want to eat, but I know that I cannot do that.  That certainly won't help matters.  Maybe I have just "let go" too much.  Anyway, no need to resond, just feeling down and wanted to vent. 

What are your stats? Without those it's hard for any of us to make suggestions.

I am 35 yrs old, female, 5'3", small frame

Total weight? You said 5lbs up, but not where you're at in total. That'll effect what you should be able to maintain at as well.

Has it just ben for a few days or longer?  If it's only for a few days don't worry too much...bodys fluctuate a bit naturally.  Or have you done something different in your eating or excersicing lately that could have triggered it?

Stay away from the scale!  do your clothes fit differently? 

changes in diet cause your body to hypertrophy...gain lean muscle tissue.  We're not talking bulking up here...but it will cause your body composition to change and thus tighten you up.  Its ok! 

Is your water intake high?  The average person intakes a lot of sodium a day and your body will fluctuate with this by holding or releasing water.  if you keep you water intake (shoot for a gallon) then it will help to constantly flush the water and you'll drop water weight.

As of this morning, I weigh 113lbs.  My lowest weight was 108 and I realize that is probably an unrealistic weight for me to maintain but I am happiest at 110.  It is TTOM and I did eat and drink quite a bit more than usual last weekend (went to Vegas with my mom and sisters).  I was 110.8 last Friday and I just figured it would've gone back down by now.  I am just sooooo bloated and I can feel the weight that I have put on.  It sucks!

 I try to keep my sodium intake at no more than 2400mg per day and I drink 2ltrs of water per day during the week, usually less on the weekends. 

 I know what it takes to lose it, I've lost 75lbs.  I just don't want to gain it back. ;)

Yes, I think it's possible that 1500 to 1600 may be too many calories for you.  That's about what I eat, and maintain 128 pounds.  I maintain on about 12 calories a pound.  At 110, that's 14 calories a pound.  You usually have to be a fairly active woman to do 14 calories a pound.  I would keep it right at 1500 for a week or so and see what happens. If you are still gaining, back it up to 1400... or work in more exercise.

Back when you were heavier, I am sure you said to yourself, "I'd give anything to be thin."  Well, here you are. Do what it takes to stay there... even if that means 1400 or more exercise.

I find it helps to eat smaller portions at meals, so I have more calories for snacks.  I used to fo a 400-calorie dinner, but then I found I was just as satisfied on 300, and then I still have a couple hundred calories sfor an evening snack.

What is your activity level like? 

 

You can gain that much just because the extra calories means more food, err digested food, in your system.  Plus you will probably get a little more sodium, which may mean a little more water retention.  Not all of the food you ingest gets converted to energy as you know because you must have to go to the bathroom.  So really that's probably all it is.  Plus you may have gained a lb or two but this is going to be a natural result of your body adjusting itself.  If you continue to gain much more then reevaluate your diet.  Otherwise, I would ignore the scale.